I've owned a GP100. Built like a tank and probably the best made in terms of standing up to a steady diet of full power loads. For a HD or trail gun this would be hard to beat. I've also owned S&W 686's and imo it's one of the best looking models made. I also used to off-duty carry a 2.5 inch barrel S&W with a trigger job that was hand-held joy to shoot.

The term 'best' is subjective unless the specific need is addressed.

You don't rise to the occasion, you sink to the level of your training.

cubanstang50 wrote:I will never own a taurus! If you do buy one you will remember this post! If you need a part for it there is a very good change that they wont have it in stock. Then when you ask how the hell, they will answer you with, we get a shipment by the first friday of every month and hopefully that part with come in. Yea it comes from Brazil . That was my experience with them and I sold the revolver a week later. I bought a 4" 686 7 shot and love it. Heavy trigger but i am deadly accurate with it.

I've owned several Taurus semi-autos over the years and never had any issues with them. However, I've also owned several Taurus revolvers and had mixed reviews with them. My first off-duty was the old Taurus 689 (also called 669VR IIRC). Nice looking revolver and it shot 'okay' but with some ammo it wasn't very accurate. I did have a model 80 .38 special that shot just fine and was very accurate. My last was a 66 7-shot. I wasn't impressed with the trigger at all and ended up trading it. I currently don't have any revolvers anymore, but if I were to get one it would be either Ruger or S&W. I'd give the Taurus a pass.

You don't rise to the occasion, you sink to the level of your training.

Generally Ruger revolvers are built like a tank and Smith & Wessons are more accurate and have better triggers and much better resale value, especially with the box.
Get a S&W Model 19 used if you want a 4 inch or a or a used model 60 if you want a concealed piece.

Finally took the Manurhin out to the range. It shot very well, great double action trigger, although I didn't put many round through it. I decided to disassemble the gun to clean. I wasn't going to before I shot it, as I do not have much to fall back on in case something goes wrong or I screw things up.

I am impressed with the changes made to the basic S&W design, especially around the changes to the rebound slide/spring. I have it soaking in mineral spirits as there was a lot of crud build up. Once I clean all the gunk out and re-lube, I think the trigger is going to be superb.

cubanstang50 wrote:I will never own a taurus! If you do buy one you will remember this post! If you need a part for it there is a very good change that they wont have it in stock. Then when you ask how the hell, they will answer you with, we get a shipment by the first friday of every month and hopefully that part with come in. Yea it comes from Brazil . That was my experience with them and I sold the revolver a week later. I bought a 4" 686 7 shot and love it. Heavy trigger but i am deadly accurate with it.

While I find the outside of them well finished, the insides leave much to be desired. I refuse to work on them anymore. The last 1911A1 I worked on got all of the fire control system replaced it was of such poor quality.

Zim00 wrote:I got the bug and just HAD to have a Smith & Wesson 686. Got it for myself "for Christmas" and haven't regretted it for a second.

Good choice. I bought myself one for my birthday a few years ago & it is just awesome. That thing is so heavy, there's almost no recoil at all & the single action trigger is like 1lb & breaks like glass.

Americans have the will to resist because you have weapons. If you don't have a gun, freedom of speech has no power.
-- Yoshimi Ishikawa, Japanese author, in the LA Times 15 Oct 1992

I've been enjoying my 6" Chiappa Rhino revolver recently. It's a strange looking gun but functions well. It really does make the recoil more controllable. I'm going to make some time and use mine on a hog hunt soon.

IslandTimes wrote:I don't know how much luck you would have finding one, but I'm a big fan of the Dan Wesson .357 mags. I have a pair of blued model 15's that are very well made and very accurate. Most of the Dan Wessons were made so you can switch out different lengths of barrel assemblies, potentially having a gun you could could conceal carry with a 2.5" barrel while also being able to target shoot after swapping in a 6"+ length barrel assembly. If that interests you, the stainless version is called a model 715.

The 715's which I own 3 of them, are like finding a needle in a haystack, and you will pay through the nose for one. They are gorgeous, durable and convenient with the option of barrel change as stated earlier. Unless you are buying it for a safe queen don't waste your time looking st Dan Wessons.
I agree with Tector, if you want a durable shooter, go with a GP100.

In my opinion , even the new S&W are two expensive just for a shooter.

The old S&W can not even be put into the equation price wise with a GP100.

Good luck and keep us posted on what you decide on.

Ps. The used gun store vs. Pawn shop comparison I don't understand either. If the gun is in good shape anf i get a great price on it i could care less where I get it from.